Holy Rosary Church

Are you a Minister of Care?  Would you be able to volunteer one or two days each month for about two hours of time?  If so, you are asked to share your ministry and join the Ministers of Care team at Rush University Medical Center.

Rush is a teaching hospital with over 800 beds located in the Illinois Medical District (on Ashland Avenue just off of the Eisenhower Expressway).  With so many patients ill and in need of loving support, any time you give will be greatly appreciated.  Please note free parking is available.  If you would like to contribute to this vital ministry or need additional information, please telephone DEACON ROGER VANDERVEST at (312) 942-4379.

Help Ease Local Poverty (HELP) is an organization composed of churches, civic groups, businesses, and social service agencies.  Every week, HELP sponsors a “Wednesday Evening Supper” for the needy at Catholic Charities in Chicago (LaSalle and Superior Streets).  After the meal, volunteer tutors sit down individually with the dinner guests to help them with their reading and writing skills.  At this time, however, more literacy tutors are needed.  These poor people desperately want to learn, yet they can not do so unless there are adequate volunteers willing to work with them.  Can you help?  This project only asks for about two hours of your time each week.

Literacy Chicago will provide training for any adult willing to spend a few hours each week assisting those who have not had the benefit of an education.  Volunteers will be required to attend a special training program over the course of two consecutive Saturdays – April 5 and April 12, OR May 3 and May 10, 2008.  The training will be held at Literacy Chicago, 17 N. State Street.  If you are interested in sharing your time and helping others learn how to read, please telephone Cynthia Hirsch at (312) 235-5384 to register.  The ability to read and write is a skill that can transform every aspect of a person’s life.  Please consider helping with this program so others can have a better life.

Can you help the homeless?  The FRANCISCAN OUTREACH ASSOCIATION is looking for volunteers to work at the HOUSE OF MARY AND JOSEPH, a 250-bed emergency overnight shelter.

Open 365 days a year, the shelter can accommodate up to 215 men and 35 women.  Every guest gets soup and a sandwich for dinner, and breakfast with coffee the next morning.  Hot showers are available along with a freshly made bed of clean sheets, a pillow, and a blanket.  Medical students from the Rush Medical School operate a free clinic for the guests, which also provides mental health outreach services.

Volunteers are needed to help with the opening of the shelter between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.  Helpers will welcome guests, serve the soup and sandwiches, distribute towels and toiletries, and clean up the kitchen.  No experience is necessary, just a friendly smile and a desire to help.

The shelter is located at 2715 W. Harrison Street (just east of California).  If you would like to volunteer, please telephone the Franciscans at (773) 278-6724.  You can also check out their website at www.franoutreach.org for additional information.  Helping isn’t limited to volunteering at the shelter.  If you prefer, you may also donate money or provide some of the items included on their “wish list.”  No matter which way you choose to help, your efforts and generosity will be greatly appreciated.

When a poor person approaches you on the street for money, how do you respond?  Are you concerned about taking out your wallet on the street?  Do you hesitate because you fear the person only wants your money to buy cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs?  The Chicago Shares Program may be exactly what you need to help you in those situations.

Chicago Shares is a simple but effective voucher program designed to help the poor in a constructive way.  The program is an ecumenical effort run by local churches and social organizations.  All you have to do is purchase a “Chicago Shares” voucher book and then give it to the person in need.  The recipient can then use the voucher book to buy food, non-alcoholic beverages, and personal care necessities at several local merchants.  They use these vouchers in place of money.  Once a month, the merchants are reimbursed by the Chicago Shares Program.  Participating merchants include Subway Sandwiches, Dunkin’ Donuts, White Hen Pantry, Jewel (Clark and Division) and, most recently, Dominick’s (Grand Avenue).

The cost of the vouchers is $5 per book.  You can purchase the voucher books at www.chicagoshares.org by downloading the order form and sending it in with your check.  Chicago Shares will send you the voucher books in the mail.  You can then use these voucher books to help a needy person you encounter on the street.  Please consider these voucher books as a way for you to help others and fulfill Christ’s mandate for all of us to love our neighbors.

A prominent Catholic theologian is sharing Christ’s message with a global audience of millions by combining his preaching skills with the latest technology of the modern world.  FR. ROBERT BARRON, an evangelist and professor at MUNDELEIN SEMINARY in Mundelein, Illinois, is now posting his “Word on Fire” videos on the YouTube website with resounding success.

YouTube is a free website where users can upload, view, and share video clips.  All a viewer has to do is go to www.youtube.com and type “Fr. Barron” into the search engine.  Through the website, you can then access a variety of Fr. Barron’s videos on popular culture topics ranging from “The Jesus Tomb Controversy” to television, movies, and music.  He also has another series, “Faith Clips,” which explains the basics of the Catholic faith.  According to Fr. Barron, “From the time of St. Paul, Christian evangelists have gone into the most public and popular arenas in order to spread the Good News.  YouTube is a place where the whole culture – the good, bad, ugly, and the sublime – can be engaged.  That’s why I wanted to bring my preaching there.”

Fr. Barron’s “Word on Fire” sermons are broadcast every Thursday at 9:00 a.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m., and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on Relevant Radio 820-AM.  His “Word on Fire” videos, DVDs, and books are also available through the www.wordonfire.org website.  If you would like more information, please telephone NANCY ROSS at (847) 204-7754.

All of our young people are invited to attend the Chicago version of World Youth Day on Saturday, July 19, 2008.  This event is being sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Catechesis and Young Adult Ministry to show our solidarity with those who will be traveling to Sydney, Australia, for World Youth Day with His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.  The Chicago version of World Youth Day 2008 will be conducted at St. Hyacinth’s Basilica, 3636 W. Wolfram in Chicago.

A wonderful day of entertainment, food, and fun has been planned.  Participants will have the opportunity to attend catechetical talks in English, Spanish, and Polish.  A special Mass will be concelebrated by Bishop Joseph Perry and Bishop Thomas Paprocki.  Dance groups, choirs, and solo artists will provide hours of musical entertainment.  There will be plenty of food available, too.

The Chicago World Youth Day 2008 will be conducted from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.  If you would like more information, please telephone St. Hyacinth’s Basilica at (773) 342-3636.  You may also contact Jesus DeLeon of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry at (312) 243-3700 or email him at jdeleon@archchicago.org for further information.  Any groups such as dance, singing, or theatrical clubs who wish to perform at the event should get in touch with Mr. DeLeon as well.  Please note the date, tell your friends, and plan to attend.  Let’s all get in the spirit of celebrating the young people of the Catholic Church!

An opportunity to grow closer with your spouse

Are you seeking a new approach to make your marriage the best it can be for both you and your spouse? Would you like to strengthen the bonds of your commitment? Do you want to nourish the spiritual component of your marital relationship? A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend may be exactly what you need to help you implement those goals.

The Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s mission of renewal in the Church and change in the world is to assist couples by providing a Catholic “experience” and ongoing community support. Through the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Program, you and your spouse can learn how to heighten the romance and deepen the intimacy of your relationship while expanding communication skills.

Two Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends have been planned for the next few months – September 19-21 and November 14-16,  2008. If you would like to make reservations or need more information, please call Jim and Kris at (800) 442-3554.

During the rich and extensive course of Catholic history, many different forms and expressions of prayer have developed.  While most of us are familiar with the more sedentery ways to pray, there are also a number of prayers-in-movement available to help us expand our contemplative skills and draw closer to Our Lord.  Pilgrims walking the Way of the Cross in the Holy Land, or the faithful chanting litanies in a religious procession are just two examples of the many forms of prayer-in-movement.

Walking-in-meditation following the pattern of a labyrinth is another ancient expression of prayer-in-movement dating back to the Middle Ages.  A labyrinth is an intricate arrangement of paths and turns leading to a common center point, usually with an equally complicated passage back out.  Many of our great cathedrals have a labyrinth embedded in their floors.  For example, the Cathedral at Chartres, France, has a labyrinth in the nave of Notre Dame that is hundreds of years old.  This famous religious landmark continues to attract visitors from around the world seeking to join in the ancient contemplative practice of meditation-in-movement.

In Chicago, a labyrinth has been acquired by St. Peter’s in the Loop Church at 110 W. Madison Street.  The labyrinth is available each Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.  All are invited to walk the labyrinth and learn a new way to meditate, contemplate, and pray.  Why not try it for yourself?

UPDATE:  Even though the Holy Father has returned to Rome, it is still possible to obtain copies of the inspiring and brilliant speeches he addressed to the crowds throughout his journey.  Check out the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ www.uspapalvisit.com website and click on the date of a particular speech to print up your own copy of his words.  The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) has also posted the text of all of his speeches so you can assemble a complete file of everything he said during his trip to the United States.  For those who are interested in a DVD of Pope Benedict’s historic visit, please telephone the EWTN Religious Catalog Department at (800) 854-6316.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to savor every part of the momentous journey of the Vicar of Christ, our beloved POPE BENEDICT XVI!

The Vatican has released a detailed schedule of POPE BENEDICT XVI’S visit to the United States from April 15 through April 20, 2008.  Leaving Rome’s Fiumicino Airport at midday on Tuesday, April 15, His Holiness will arrive at Andrews Air Force Base just outside of Washington, D.C., in the late afternoon.  PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH will greet him upon his arrival.

Wednesday, April 16 – The Holy Father will receive a formal welcome by President and Mrs. Bush at the White House.  In the afternoon, he will lead a vespers service at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  During the evening, he will meet with American bishops.  April 16 is also the Pope’s 81st birthday.  A birthday celebration in his honor is being planned at the Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C.  It has not, however, been announced whether he will attend the birthday party.

Thursday, April 17 – Pope Benedict will start the day by celebrating Mass at Washington’s baseball stadium.  After the Mass, he will visit the Catholic University of America to address the leaders of Catholic institutes of higher education.  That evening, over 200 leaders of other faiths will meet with His Holiness at the POPE JOHN PAUL II Cultural Center.

Friday, April 18 – In the morning, the Pope will fly to New York where he will address the United Nations General Assembly.  This event will be only the fourth time in history that a Pope has spoken before the United Nations.  He will then lead an ecumenical meeting that evening.

Saturday, April 19 - The Holy Father will be the primary celebrant at a concelebrated Mass with the Archdiocese of New York’s priests and religious at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  Following the Mass, Pope Benedict will have lunch with the bishops before visiting St. Joseph’s Seminary.  At the Seminary, he will meet with candidates for the priesthood.  Chicago’s WOJCIECH OLESKY of St. Mary of Perpetual Help Parish will be one of those seminarians.

Sunday, April 20 – The Pope’s public activities for the day will begin with a visit to pray at the Ground Zero Memorial commemorating the victims of the 9/11 attack.  The Holy Father will then proceed to Yankee Stadium where he will celebrate a special Mass.  Later that evening, he will return to Rome.  His plane is scheduled to arrive at Ciampino Airport at 10:45 a.m. on Monday, April 21.

If you would like more information about Pope Benedict’s upcoming visit, please go to www.uspapalvisit.org (the official site sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) for additional details.  You can also check out www.Pope2008.com (sponsored by the National Catholic Register).

Sunday, July 6, is the feast day of SANTA MARIA GORETTI, the martyr of purity whose canvas painting adorns the southeast wall of our Church by the entrance to the Sacristy.  This year marks the 106th anniversary of the martyrdom of Santa Maria, who died at the age of 11 rather than submit to the sexual demands of her attacker.  Her story is an inspiration for all of us, especially our young people.

The Goretti family lived in Ferrier di Conca, near Anzio, Italy.  After Mr. Goretti died of malaria, Mrs. Goretti struggled to feed her young family.  As one of the oldest children, Maria worked hard to care for her younger siblings and provide some income through her sewing.  One day when Maria was home alone watching her infant sister, an 18-year-old neighbor, Alessandro Serenelli, came by and demanded sexual relations with her.  Even after she told him it would be a sin to have sex, he still persisted in his desires.  When she refused, he choked and stabbed her repeatedly before fleeing the farmhouse.  Although Maria was taken to the hospital for an emergency surgery on her abdomen, her injuries combined with an extensive loss of blood were beyond repair.  The next day, Maria died from her stab wounds.  Before she died, however, she told her family, friends, and the hospital staff she had forgiven her killer.

Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in jail for her murder.  For years, he remained defiant and unrepentant for his crime.  One night, Alessandro saw Maria in a dream.  He envisioned himself standing in a garden when Maria suddenly appeared and handed him her flowers.  When Alessandro awoke, he was a changed man.

After serving 27 years of his sentence, Alessandro was released from prison.  He immediately went to Maria’s mother and begged her forgiveness.  With Maria’s example of love and forgiveness as a precedent, Mrs. Goretti was able to forgive Alessandro.  In 1950, POPE PIUS XII canonized Maria.  Alessandro attended the canonization ceremony in Rome with the elderly Mrs. Goretti and the Goretti family.  It was the first time in Catholic Church history a parent attended the canonization of her own child.

Santa Maria Goretti is the patroness of purity, young people, and rape victims.  Her amazing life story continues to set the standard for everyone as we strive to demonstrate Christ’s love and forgiveness toward those who hurt us.  Although the feast day of Santa Maria Goretti is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the lessons of this little girl’s brief but influential life, her courage and commitment to Christian values are an example for all of us – especially our young people - to follow every day of the year.  We especially encourage the youth of our Parish to develop a relationship with Santa Maria Goretti by thinking about her fine example of the Christian spirit, and praying for her intercession and guidance during times of need.